The results reveal
improved uptake in good cybersecurity practices by respondents, namely in
enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and exercising caution when it comes
to online transactions and app downloads. But there is scope for improvement in
password management habits and updating desktop and mobile software.

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) has released
key findings from its annual survey for 2017. The survey seeks to
measure public awareness and adoption of cyber hygiene practices in Singapore,
so as to better aid in developing initiatives to bridge knowledge gaps.

Data was collected
from 2,035 respondents via an online survey and it was weighted against the
demographics of Singapore’s general population by gender, race and age.

The resultsreveal
improved uptake in good cybersecurity practices by respondents, namely in
enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and exercising caution when it comes
to online transactions and app downloads. But there is scope for improvement in
password management habits and updating desktop and mobile software.

The results

Improved awareness
and adoption of 2FA

A greater proportion of respondents are now aware of what
2FA is, as seen from a six percentage point drop in the proportion of
respondents who are “not sure” of this authentication process, from 10 percent
in 2016.

This could also be a reason why more respondents indicated
that they had enabled 2FA for either some or all accounts, resulting in a
significant increase of 13 percentage points from 66 percent in 2016.

Credit: CSA

More respondents are exercising caution when it comes to
online transactions and app downloads. The proportion of respondents who
proceeded with online transactions without first checking the authenticity of
the websites dropped from 38 percent in 2016 to 20 percent in 2017. Fewer
respondents are also connecting to open, non-password protected Wi-Fi networks
in public places, with a decrease from 37 percent in 2016 to 25 percent in
2017.

Furthermore, there are fewer respondents who indicated that
they had never scanned for viruses before opening or using downloaded files or
external devices - a 30 percentage point drop, from 41 percent in 2016 to 11
percent in 2017.

‍Credit: CSA

‍Credit: CSA

The findings also showed a 7 percentage point increase in
the number of respondents who downloaded mobile applications from official app
stores (such as Google Play Store and Apple App Store), from 83 percent of
respondents in 2016 to 90 percent in 2017.

Need for improvement in password management and software update
habits

No improvement was observed in password management habits in
2017 as compared to 2016. About one-third of respondents continue to store
their passwords in their computer or write them down, or use the same password
for work and personal accounts.

From a given list of passwords, only 45 percent of
respondents are able to identify a strong password of at least eight characters
comprising upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols in 2017. Over six in ten respondents do not change their passwords regularly, or
did so only when the system prompted them.

‍Credit: CSA

‍
‍Credit: CSA

While 94 percent of respondents indicated that they update
their Personal Computer (PC) software, 41 percent do not update it immediately
or as soon as possible. Simiarly, 97 percent of respondents with apps on their
mobile devices update their mobile software, but 38 percent do not update it
immediately or as soon as possible.

‍Credit: CSA

Less than half feel they could fall victim to cyber
threats

Respondents’ levels of concern towards cyber threats – i.e.
having their devices infected by viruses or malware, their financial or
personal information extracted without their consent, and falling victim to a
scam or fraud – witnessed a slight dip (3 percent – 5 percent).

Moreover, while seven in ten are concerned about these
threats, less than half of them (31 percent – 44 percent) feel that the
scenarios will happen to them.
When asked if they would agree that all Singaporeans have a role to play in
cybersecurity, seven in ten respondents agreed with the statement.

‍
‍Credit: CSA

General tips on
cyberecurity and information on privacy and data protection emerged as the top
two categories of information respondents are keen to know more about (21
percent and 19 percent respectively). Another 21 percent indicated that they
are not sure, while 18 percent indicated that they do not want to see any
security information.

CSA to launch second cybersecurity
public awareness campaign

To continue to encourage adoption of good cybersecurity
practices, CSA will launch its second cybersecurity public awareness campaign -
“Cyber Tips 4 You” - on 23 April 2018, with a series of online
videos, advertisements and posters, featuring local celebrities Suhaimi Yusof
and Jae Liew from the cast of television drama “Tanglin”.

The two celebrities will provide four simple cyber tips to
viewers, namely (1) use an anti-virus software, (2) use strong passwords and
enable 2FA, (3) spot signs of phishing, and (4) update your software as soon as
possible.

A launch event will be held on 5 May 2018 at Bedok Mall
where visitors can get tips on how to create strong passwords as well as
information on anti-virus software and how it works.

Mr. David Koh, Chief Executive of CSA, said, “It is
heartening that a majority of respondents recognise that everyone should be
concerned about cybersecurity. However, we need to translate this recognition
into action. Cyber threats show no sign of abating. While we will continue to
provide cybersecurity understanding and know-how to the community, we must
recognise that we all have a part to play to protect ourselves online and not
fall prey to cyber criminals.”

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